Our Top Recommendations

Filtering
in the wilds of North America and the Third World.

"Water
filters are one of the most popular items for backpackers
and hikers all over the world..."The
Editor

Many
have come on the market in recent years.

Safe H2O

Water
filters are still the preferred method of getting
rid of water on the hiking trails of much of the world.
In the United States, water filters are used in all
wilderness areas. They have the advantage of "no
taste."

Water that has gone through a water filter usually
does not have a taste. Or if the filter has some iodine
on it to kill viruses, the taste is minor. The other
main advantage is that they produce purified water
relatively quickly. Once you run the water through
the filter you can drink it immediately. You don't
have to wait 30 or 60 minutes, as you do with chemically
treated water. And of course, it's much easier and
quicker than boiling water."

For
Backpacking

Perhaps
the main thing water filters have going for them is
tradition. Most backpackers and hikers are accustomed
to using them. And neophytes generally turn to them
first. As we have mentioned elsewhere in this web
site, water filters are not without their problems
- expense, clogged filters, bulk and weight in the
back, and generally being rather a pain to use when
pumping water. That's why we usually recommend chemical
treatment.

But many backpackers still prefer using filters. So,
we have come up with our recommendations on the top
filters for the money - the water filters that give
the best value for the money.

In recent years there have become more filtration
equipment available, including some that aren't as
expensive as in the past. It's some of those water
filters that we are looking at. One on the forefront
is Pure water filters.